CITIBANK, N.A., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant,
v.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL, PLC, Defendant and Counterclaimant.
No. 09 Civ. 8197(SAS).
United States District Court, S.D. New York.
May 12, 2010.Gregory P. Joseph, Esq., Rachel Cherington, Esq., Gregory P. Joseph Law Office LLC, New York, NY, for Plaintiff.
Michael Carlinsky, Esq., Jonathan Pickhardt, Esq., Simona Gory, Esq., Amos Friedland, Esq., Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, New York, NY, for Defendant.
OPINION AND ORDER
SHIRA A. SCHEINDLIN, District Judge:
I. INTRODUCTION
This case involves yet another high-stakes dispute arising from the recent economic turmoil. While the financial instruments around which this action revolves are complex, the Court's current task is straightforward: to ascertain whether a contract between financial titans Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") and Morgan Stanley & Co. International, PLC ("MSIP") is unambiguous. Specifically, the question presented is whether Citibank breached the terms of a credit default swap when Citibank ordered the liquidation of a security without first obtaining MSIP's written consent. Because the swap agreement unambiguously permits such action by Citibank, Citibank's motion for judgment on the pleadings and for dismissal of MSIP's original counterclaims is granted, and MSIP's motion for judgment on the pleadings is denied. Nonetheless, Citibank must reply to MSIP's newly-added counterclaims for reformation and equitable estoppel, which are not addressed in these motions.
*399 II. BACKGROUND
A. The Capmark VI Collateral Debt Obligation
In July 2006, Capmark VI Ltd ("Capmark") issued a collateralized debt obligation (the "Capmark VI CDO")a security collateralized by a portfolio of fixed-income assets, such as residential mortgages, loans, and other securities (collectively, the "Collateral").[1] The rights to the cash flow from the Collateral are divided into several classesor "tranches"of Notes that investors purchase.[2] The Notes mature in 2038.[3]
The Capmark VI CDO is governed primarily by a July 24, 2006 indenture (the "Indenture").[4] The parties to the Indenture are: Capmark, as issuer, Capmark VI (Delaware) Corporation, as co-issuer, and LaSalle Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee").[5] Under the Indenture, the Trustee serves as custodian of the Collateral.[6] After an "Event of Default," such as when the value of the Collateral falls and remains below a certain threshold, a majority of the senior stakeholdersor the "Controlling Class"of the Capmark VI CDO may instruct the Trustee in various respects.[7] For example, following an Event of Default, the Controlling Class may "direct" the Trustee to liquidate the Collateral.[8]
B. Citibank's Loan to Capmark
On July 24, 2006, Citibank agreed to provide up to $366 million in revolving credit to the Capmark VI CDO (the "Revolving Facility").[9] The Revolving Facility, which also matures in 2038, is memorialized by a July 24, 2006 credit agreement between Citibank and Capmark (the "Credit Agreement").[10]
Under the Credit Agreement, Citibank serves as both Lender and Administrative Agent.[11] Although the Credit Agreement was designed to accommodate a groupor "syndicate"of Lenders of the Revolving Facility, Citibank has always been the only Lender.[12] In its role as Administrative Agent of the Revolving Facility, Citibank performs certain ministerial functions on behalf of the (unrealized) syndicate of Lenders.[13]
Amounts due to the Lenders from the Capmark VI CDO under the Revolving *400 Facility are repaid in monthly installments, funded by cash flow from the Collateral.[14] The Lenders rank senior to other Capmark VI CDO investors, such as noteholders, in the priority of payments.[15] Accordingly, Citibank, as sole Lender, has always been the Capmark VI CDO stakeholder with the senior-most entitlement to payment.[16] As such, Citibank has always comprised the entire Controlling Class.[17]
C. Citibank and MSIP's Credit Default Swap
On July 21, 2006, Citibank and MSIP entered into a credit default swap under which the occurrence of any of four defined "Credit Events" obligates MSIP to pay Citibank any losses it sustained under the Revolving Facility (the "Swap").[18] As discussed below, the relevant Credit Event here is "Failure to Pay Principal."
The Swap consists of: (1) a July 21, 2006 confirmation (the "Swap Confirmation") that incorporates (2) an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Agreement, as amended from time to time (the "Master Agreement"), and (3) 2003 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions (the "2003 ISDA Definitions") (collectively, the "Swap Agreement").[19] It is governed by New York law.[20]
Under the Swap Confirmation, Citibank is the "Buyer," MSIP is the "Seller," Capmark is the "Reference Entity," and the Revolving Facility is the "Reference Obligation."[21] The term of the Swap is three years, from July 2006 through August 2009.[22] For this protection, Citibank paid approximately $750,000 to MSIP over the life of the Swap.[23]
Section 6(d) of the Swap Confirmation provides certain rights to MSIP with respect to the Revolving Facility. Entitled "Reference Obligation Amendments", this provision states:
*401 No amendment to, or waiver or consent of or with respect to, the Reference Obligation [the Revolving Facility] will be agreed or consented to by Buyer [Citibank] (or permitted by Buyer to be agreed or consented to) without the prior written consent of the Counterparty [MSIP].[24]
The Swap Agreement also contains an integration clause providing that it "constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto."[25] Additionally, the Master Agreement provides that one party's breach of the Swap Agreement excuses the counterparty's payment obligations until such time as the default is remedied, assuming it is possible to do so.[26]
D. The Capmark VI CDO Suffers an Event of Default
On August 5, 2008, the Capmark VI CDO suffered an Event of Default under the Indenture, when the principal balance of the Collateral fell below $366 million.[27] When such an Event of Default occurs, section 5.5(a) of the Indenture obligates the Trustee to retain the Collateral unless two-thirds of the Controlling Class directs the sale and liquidation of the Collateral.[28] Pursuant to this provision, on March 9, 2009, Citibank directed the Trustee to sell and liquidate all of the Collateral of the Capmark VI CDO.[29] The proceeds were insufficient to cover the $366 million outstanding under the Revolving Facility, and the shortfall was substantial $246,368,966.51.[30]
E. MSIP Refuses to Pay Citibank Under the Swap Agreement
As noted above, MSIP's obligations under the Swap Agreement are triggered by a Credit Event (not to be confused with an Event of Default under the Indenture). The relevant Credit Event here is Failure to Pay Principal, which the Swap Confirmation defines as "(i) a failure by the Reference Entity [Capmark] to pay an Expected Principal Amount on the Final Amortization Date. ..."[31] The "Expected Principal Amount" on the Final Amortization Date is the outstanding principal.[32] The "Final Amortization Date" includes "the date on which the assets securing the Reference Obligation [the Revolving Facility] or designated to fund amount due in respect of the Reference Obligation are liquidated, distributed, or otherwise disposed of in full and the proceeds thereof are distributed or otherwise disposed of in full."[33]
*402 When the Collateral was liquidated in full on July 13, 2009, the proceeds resulting from the liquidation and paid on the Revolving Facility were less than the amount outstanding on the Revolving Facility (the Expected Principal Amount).[34] Therefore, according to Citibank, a Failure to Pay Principal Credit Event Occurred.[35]
However, when Citibank attempted to transfer the Revolving Facility to MSIP pursuant to the Swap Agreement in order to collect on the approximately $245 million loss, MSIP took the position that Citibank's direction to liquidate the Collateral without MSIP's consent constituted a breach of section 6(d) of the Swap Confirmation, thereby excusing MSIP from making any payments to Citibank in respect of the Swap.[36] It is undisputed that Citibank never obtained MSIP's consent to the liquidation of the Collateral.[37]
F. Proceedings in this Court; the Pending Motions
In September 2009, Citibank filed suit in this Court, alleging that MSIP breached the Swap Agreement by refusing to pay Citibank the approximately $245 million that Citibank lost vis-a-vis the Revolving Facility. In November 2009, MSIP answered and counterclaimed that Citibank breached the Swap Agreement by liquidating the Collateral without MSIP's consent.[38] In January 2010, Citibank replied to MSIP's Answer and Counterclaims.
Citibank now moves for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), and dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) of MSIP's counterclaims. MSIP also moves for judgment on the pleadings on its counterclaims.
III. APPLICABLE LAW
A. Judgment on the Pleadings; Motion to Dismiss
At any time after the pleadings close and before the trial commences, a party may move for a judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c).[39] A party is entitled to judgment on the pleadings only if it is clear that no material issues of fact remain to be resolved and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.[40]
"`The standard for addressing a Rule 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings is the same as that for a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim.'"[41] In either instance, the court must accept as true the non-movant's allegations, along with the allegations in the *403 movant's pleading that the nonmovant has admitted, and must draw all reasonable inferences in the non-movant's favor.[42] The court need not accord "[l]egal conclusions, deductions or opinions couched as factual allegations ... a presumption of truthfulness."[43]
The allegations in a complaint must meet a standard of "plausibility."[44] A claim is facially plausible "when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that [plaintiff is entitled to relief]."[45] Plausibility "is not akin to a probability requirement;" rather plausibility requires "more than a sheer possibility ...."[46] Pleading a fact that is "merely consistent" does not satisfy the plausibility standard.[47]
The court "must limit itself to the facts stated in the complaint or in documents attached to the complaint as exhibits or incorporated in the complaint by reference."[48] A document is considered incorporated by reference if it is "in a pleading... adopted by reference elsewhere in the same pleading or in any other pleading...."[49] A court may also consider a document not specifically incorporated by reference but on which the complaint heavily relies and which is integral to the complaint.[50] This is particularly true when the non-movant either had the document in its possession or knew of the document when bringing suit.[51]
In addition, a court "`may ... consider matters of which judicial notice may be taken.'"[52] On the other hand, if a court is presented with material outside of the pleadings and not subject to judicial notice, it should either exclude the material in its consideration of the motion to dismiss or for judgment on the pleading, or consider the material after converting the motion into one for summary judgment.[53]
B. New York Contract Law
"Under New York law, `[t]he fundamental, neutral precept of contract interpretation is that agreements are construed in accord with the parties' intent.'"[54] "Typically, the best evidence of intent is the contract itself; if an agreement is `complete, clear and unambiguous on its face[, it] must be enforced according to the plain *404 meaning of its terms.'"[55] "Where the language of the contract is unambiguous, and reasonable persons could not differ as to its meaning, the question of interpretation is one of law to be answered by the court."[56] However, when a contract is ambiguous, its interpretation becomes a question of fact not appropriately resolved on a motion for judgment on the pleadings or for dismissal.[57]
"`Whether or not a writing is ambiguous is a question of law to be resolved by the courts.'"[58] Such questions of law are properly disposed of through a motion for judgment on the pleadings or for dismissal.[59]
"[A]mbiguity exists where a contract term could suggest more than one meaning when viewed objectively by a reasonably intelligent person who has examined the context of the entire integrated agreement and who is cognizant of the customs, practices, usages and terminology as generally understood in the particular trade or business."[60]
"[E]xtrinsic evidence is not admissible to create an ambiguity in a written agreement which is complete and clear and unambiguous upon its face."[61] "The language of a contract is not ambiguous ... simply because the parties urge different interpretations, or if one party's view `strain[s] the contract language beyond its reasonable and ordinary meaning.'"[62]
"In interpreting a contract under New York law, `words and phrases ... should be given their plain meaning,' and the contract `should be construed so as to give full meaning and effect to all of its provisions.'"[63] "`[A]n interpretation of a contract that has the effect of rendering at least one clause superfluous or meaningless... is not preferred and will be avoided if possible.'"[64]
IV. ANALYSIS
This dispute can be resolved by reference solely to the contractual documents properly considered by the Court on this motion the Indenture, Credit Agreement, and Swap Agreement together with *405 MSIP's admissions. Allegations and evidence extrinsic to the contractual documents, therefore, have not been considered.[65]
It is undisputed that the consent rights MSIP asserts Citibank violated derive exclusively from section 6(d) of the Swap Confirmation, which is quoted in its entirety above. MSIP argues that when Citibank ordered liquidation of the Capmark VI CDO, Citibank provided a "consent of or with respect to" the Revolving Facility, thereby implicating MSIP's rights under section 6(d). Citibank counters that it did not provide a consent under section 6(d) but rather issued a "direction" pursuant to the Indenture.[66] Thus, the parties' cross motions boil down to whether Citibank's conduct implicated MSIP's consent rights under section 6(d).
MSIP admits that Citibank, in its role as Administrative Agent of the Revolving Facility, directed the Trustee to liquidate the Collateral.[67] Nonetheless, MSIP cites to section 6.07 of the Credit Agreement and argues that Citibank, in its role as Lender to the Revolving Facility, provided a consent pursuant to section 6(d). Section 6.07 provides:
To the extent that the Lenders or the Administrative Agent constitutes the "Controlling Class" for purposes of the Indenture (as defined therein) and is required or authorized to take any action in such capacity thereunder, the Administrative Agent will be authorized to so act for all purposes hereof; provided that such authorization will in each case require that the Administrative Agent receive direction or consent from the Required Lenders.[68]
MSIP argues that because this provision requires the Administrative Agent (i.e., Citibank) to obtain "authorization" before ordering the liquidation of the Capmark VI CDO, Citibank was required to authorize itself to take such action. Thus, according to MSIP, when Citibank caused the Trustee to liquidate the Collateral, it occurred in two separate steps: First, Citibank, as Lender, authorized itself, as Administrative Agent, to direct the Trustee. Second, Citibank, as Administrative Agent, directed the Trustee to undertake the liquidation. MSIP further argues that because the definition of "consent" in section 6(d) includes "authorisation,"[69] when Citibank, as Lender, authorized the liquidation of the Capmark VI CDO, Citibank provided *406 the consent that triggered MSIP's rights under section 6(d).
Even assuming that section 6.07 is applicable a point Citibank does not concede[70] MSIP's linguistic gymnastics and strained reasoning is not persuasive. First, I reject MSIP's focus on Citibank's two roles under the Credit Agreement. That Citibank was required to consent to or authorize its own action makes no sense. Because Citibank was always the sole Lender to the Revolving Facility, Citibank was always the only principal for which it was acting as Administrative Agent. Thus, under the circumstances, Citibank was simultaneously sole Lender, Controlling Class, and Administrative Agent. As such, MSIP's admission that Citibank directed the liquidation as Administrative Agent is tantamount to an admission that Citibank did nothing but issue a direction, which is fatal to MSIP's position.
Nor do I accept MSIP's attempt to read "direction" to fall within the definition of "consent" by way of "authorization" and "authorisation." Not only is "direction" conspicuously absent from the plain terms of section 6(d), "direction" is also not included within the definition of "consent" found in the Master Agreement.[71] The fact that "consent" includes "authorisation" under the Master Agreement does not mean or imply that every method of "authorisation" is a "consent." Indeed, the plain language of section 6.07 makes clear that "authorization" may be effected by either a consent or a direction.
Furthermore and as section 6.07 itself demonstrates the contractual documents at issue here repeatedly distinguish between the words "direction" (or "direct") and "consent."[72] This is not surprising given that the two words have different meanings: while "consent" is a word of acquiescence, "direction" is a word of action.[73] Similarly, "authorization" and "direction" are also utilized differently in the contracts[74] a distinction recognized in New York law.[75]
*407 If these highly sophisticated parties truly intended "consent" to include "direction" via "authorization" or "authorisation", they could and would have so provided. To merge these terms as if they were one would render meaningless the distinction between them.
In sum, Citibank's issuance of a direction under the Indenture did not implicate MSIP's consent rights under section 6(d) of the Swap Confirmation. Therefore, Citibank was permitted to direct the liquidation of the Capmark VI CDO without acquiring MSIP's prior written consent. MSIP's attempt to introduce ambiguity where there is none cannot prevent this result.
V. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, Citibank's motion for judgment on the pleadings and for dismissal of MSIP's original counterclaims is granted. MSIP's motion for judgment on the pleadings is denied. The Clerk of Court is directed to close these motions (documents # 15 and 21).
Because judgment is granted to Citibank on limited pleadings, I am not entering final judgment. Specifically, MSIP recently added counterclaims for reformation and equitable estoppel that are not at issue in the present motions.[76] Citibank shall reply to these counterclaims within twenty (20) days of the date of this Opinion and Order.
A conference is scheduled for June 10, 2010, at 5:00 p.m.
SO ORDERED.
NOTES
[1] See Complaint ("Compl") ¶ 10; Answer and Counterclaim ("Counter") ¶¶ 19, 59.
[2] See Compl. ¶ 10; Counter ¶¶ 10, 60. Generally in collateralized debt obligations, senior tranches receive payment before junior and equity tranches. Losses on the underlying assets are applied in reverse order of seniority and junior tranches protect senior tranches from losses on the underlying portfolio. To compensate for the greater risk, junior tranches are paid higher interest rates.
[3] See Compl. ¶ 10; Counter ¶ 10.
[4] See Compl. ¶ 12; Counter ¶ 59; see also Indenture, Ex. A to Declaration of Rachel M. Cherington, Citibank's Counsel, in Support of Citibank's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Dismissal of Counterclaims ("Cherington Decl.").
[5] See Compl. ¶ 12; Counter ¶ 59; Indenture at 1.
[6] See Compl. ¶ 12; Counter ¶ 63.
[7] See Compl. ¶ 27; Counter ¶ 63; see also Indenture §§ 5.2-5.5, 5.8, 5.13.
[8] Indenture § 5.5(a)(ii). Accord Compl. ¶ 27; Counter ¶ 63.
[9] See Compl. ¶ 11; Counter ¶¶ 11, 59-60.
[10] See Compl. ¶ 11; Counter ¶ 60; see also Credit Agreement, Ex. B to Cherington Decl.
[11] See Compl. ¶ 11; Counter ¶ 61.
[12] See Compl. ¶ 11; Counter ¶¶ 60, 61.
[13] See Compl. ¶ 11; Counter ¶ 61.
[14] See Counter ¶ 62.
[15] See Compl. ¶ 13; Counter ¶ 62.
[16] See Compl. ¶ 13; Counter ¶ 62.
[17] See Compl. ¶ 28; Counter ¶ 63.
[18] See Compl. ¶¶ 9, 18-20; Counter ¶¶ 59, 65-67. A credit default swap is a contractual form of risk protection. It is a financial instrument by which one private party (the protection buyer) pays a premium to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for the protection seller assuming the risk that a third party (the reference entity) might default on payment obligations under a financial instrument (the reference obligation), or that another "credit event" might increase the risk represented by the reference obligation. The protection buyer makes periodic payments to the protection seller, and if no credit event occurs during the term of the swap, the protection seller keeps the payments and incurs no further obligations. If a credit event specified in the credit default swap occurs during the term of the swap, the protection seller pays the protection buyer an agreed upon amount. See, e.g., Aon Fin. Prods., Inc. v. Societe Generale, 476 F.3d 90, 96 (2d Cir. 2007); Eternity Global Master Fund Ltd. v. Morgan Guar. Trust Co. of N.Y., 375 F.3d 168, 172 (2d Cir.2004).
[19] See Compl. ¶ 41; Counter ¶¶ 66; see also Swap Confirmation, Ex. C to Cherington Deck; Master Agreement, Ex. D to the Cherington Deck; 2003 ISDA Definitions, Ex. E to the Cherington Deck (excerpts only).
[20] See Master Agreement at Amend. (Nov. 12, 2004) § 5.
[21] Swap Confirmation at 2. Accord Compl. ¶ 17; Counter ¶ 71.
[22] See Swap Confirmation at 2; Compl. ¶ 18; Counter ¶ 68.
[23] See Swap Confirmation at 2-3; Compl. ¶¶ 17, 19; Counter ¶ 68. Specifically, Citibank paid a fixed annual rate of 0.07 percent of $366 millionthe commitment to the Revolving Facility. See Swap Confirmation at 2-3; Compl. ¶ 19; Counter ¶ 68.
[24] Swap Confirmation § 6(d).
[25] Master Agreement § 9(a).
[26] See id. § 5(a)(ii).
[27] See Compl. ¶ 26; Counter ¶ 72.
[28] Specifically, section 5.5(a) of Indenture provides:
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continued when any Class of Rated Notes is Outstanding, the Trustee shall retain the Collateral securing the Rated Notes intact, collect and cause the collection of proceeds thereof and make and apply all payments and deposits and maintain all accounts in respect of the Collateral and the Rated Notes in accordance with the Priority of Payments ... unless:
. . .
(ii) not less than 66 2/3% of the Controlling Class ... direct the sale and liquidation of the Collateral.
[29] See Compl. ¶ 30; Counter ¶ 73.
[30] See Compl. ¶ 32; Counter ¶ 52.
[31] Swap Confirmation at 12-13.
[32] See id. at 12.
[33] Id. at 13.
[34] See Compl. ¶¶ 24-25; Counter ¶ 75.
[35] See Compl. ¶ 25.
[36] See Compl. ¶¶ 34-35; Counter ¶¶ 74-76.
[37] See Counter ¶ 73; Citibank's Reply to Counterclaims ¶ 7.
[38] Specifically, MSIP brought two counterclaims one for a declaration that the conditions precedent to MSIP's payment obligations are not satisfied, and another for breach of contract. See Counter ¶¶ 80-89. In April 2010, MSIP filed an Amended Answer and Counterclaims that added two new counterclaims for reformation and equitable estoppel. This latest pleading, to which Citibank has not replied, is not presently before the Court.
[39] See Frater v. Tigerpack Capital, Ltd., No. 98 Civ. 3306, 1998 WL 851591, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 9, 1998) (citing 2 Moore's Federal Practice § 12.38 at 12-99).
[40] See Burns Int'l Sec. Servs. v. International Union, United Plant Guard Workers of Am., 47 F.3d 14, 16 (2d Cir.1995); Carballo ex rel. Cortes v. Apfel, 34 F.Supp.2d 208, 214 (S.D.N.Y. 1999).
[41] Wachovia Corp. v. Citigroup, Inc., 634 F.Supp.2d 445, 450 (S.D.N.Y.2009) (quoting Cleveland v. Caplaw Enters., 448 F.3d 518, 520 (2d Cir.2006)).
[42] See id.; Frater, 1998 WL 851591, at *1 (citing Sheppard v. Beerman, 18 F.3d 147, 150 (2d Cir.1994)).
[43] In re NYSE Specialists Sec. Litig., 503 F.3d 89, 95 (2d Cir.2007) (quotation marks omitted).
[44] Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 564, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007).
[45] Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) (quotation marks omitted).
[46] Id. (quotation marks omitted).
[47] Id. (quotation marks omitted).
[48] Kramer v. Time Warner Inc., 937 F.2d 767, 773 (2d Cir.1991).
[49] Fed.R.Civ.P. 10(c).
[50] See Chambers v. Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147, 153 (2d Cir.2002).
[51] See Edison Fund v. Cogent Inv. Strategies Fund, Ltd., 551 F.Supp.2d 210, 217 (S.D.N.Y. 2008).
[52] Staehr v. Hartford Fin. Servs. Grp., Inc., 547 F.3d 406, 425 (2d Cir.2008) (quoting Kramer, 937 F.2d at 773).
[53] See Chambers, 282 F.3d at 154.
[54] Eternity Global Master Fund, 375 F.3d at 177 (quoting Greenfield v. Philles Records, Inc., 98 N.Y.2d 562, 569, 750 N.Y.S.2d 565, 780 N.E.2d 166 (2002)).
[55] Id. (quoting Greenfield, 98 N.Y.2d at 569, 750 N.Y.S.2d 565, 780 N.E.2d 166) (alteration in original).
[56] Rothenberg v. Lincoln Farm Camp, Inc., 755 F.2d 1017, 1019 (2d Cir.1985).
[57] See Mellon Bank, N.A. v. United Bank Corp. of N.Y., 31 F.3d 113, 116 (2d Cir.1994).
[58] Eternity Global Master Fund, 375 F.3d at 178 (quoting W.W.W. Assocs., Inc. v. Giancontieri, 77 N.Y.2d 157, 162, 565 N.Y.S.2d 440, 566 N.E.2d 639 (1990)).
[59] See State Bank of India v. Walter E. Heller & Co., 655 F.Supp. 326, 326-27 (S.D.N.Y. 1987).
[60] Eternity Global Master Fund, 375 F.3d at 178 (quoting World Trade Ctr. Props., L.L.C. v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 345 F.3d 154, 184 (2d Cir.2003)).
[61] Waldman v. Riedinger, 423 F.3d 145, 150 (2d Cir.2005) (quotation marks omitted). Accord RM Realty Holdings Corp. v. Moore, 64 A.D.3d 434, 884 N.Y.S.2d 344, 349 (1st Dep't 2009) ("A written agreement that is complete, clear and unambiguous on its face must be enforced according to the plain meaning of its terms without reference to extrinsic evidence.").
[62] Dessert Beauty Inc. v. Platinum Funding Corp., 519 F.Supp.2d 410, 418 (S.D.N.Y.2007) (quoting Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Aniero Concrete Co., 404 F.3d 566, 598 (2d Cir.2005)) (alteration in original).
[63] LaSalle Bank Nat. Ass'n v. Nomura Asset Capital Corp., 424 F.3d 195, 206 (2d Cir.2005) (quoting Shaw Group, Inc. v. Triplefine Int'l Corp., 322 F.3d 115, 121 (2d Cir.2003)) (alteration in original).
[64] Id. (quoting Shaw Group, 322 F.3d at 124) (quotation marks omitted; alteration in original).
[65] E.g., Counter ¶ 69 ("As a condition to entering into the Swap, MSIP demanded that it be provided with whatever voting or consent rights Citibank had as Lender under the Credit Agreement for the duration of the Swap."); Confirmation Between Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc. and Citibank Regarding the "Tallships Funding" Credit Default Swap, Ex. A to Declaration of Jonathan E. Pickhardt, MSIP's Counsel, in Opposition to Citibank's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.
[66] MSIP argues that Citibank's distinction between "consent" and "direction" cannot be considered on these motions because the Complaint contains no such allegation. However, no such allegation is required for the Court to consider the difference between "consent" and "direction". This distinction is only relevant in response to MSIP's argument that Citibank gave a consent in addition to a direction. Thus, Citibank's allegation that it directed the liquidation is sufficient.
[67] See Counter ¶¶ 29, 73-74.
[68] Credit Agreement § 6.07 (emphasis added and removed). "Required Lenders" is defined as the Lenders holding not less than two-thirds of the aggregate commitment under the Revolving Facility. See id. § 1.01.
[69] Master Agreement § 14 (emphasis added) ("`[C]onsent' includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.").
[70] Citibank argues that section 6.07 is inapplicable because the Revolving Facility was never syndicated. While Citibank admits that section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement provides that "[t]he definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and the plural forms of the terms defined[,]" Citibank nonetheless highlights that section 6.07 uses the word "Lenders" in plural form and argues that "[p]rior to syndication, it is impossible for Citibank to issue a direction or give a consent to itself that is contrary to the interests of the other Lenders there are none." Citibank's Memorandum in Support of its Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Dismissal of Counterclaims, at 18.
[71] See Master Agreement § 14. The Master agreement does not define "authorisation." See id.
[72] See, e.g., Indenture §§ 6.3(a) & (f), 14.2(a) & (b), 14.3; Credit Agreement §§ 7.01, 7.02(a) & (b).
[73] Black's Law Dictionary defines the noun "consent" as "[a]greement, approval, or permission as to some purpose ...." Black's Law Dictionary at 346 (9th ed. 2009). Accord United States v. 141st St. Corp., 911 F.2d 870, 878 (2d Cir.1990) ("Consent is `compliance or approval especially] of what is done or proposed by another.'" (quoting Webster's Third New International Dictionary 482 (1971))).
By contrast, the noun "direction" means "[a]n act of guidance ... [a]n order; an instruction on how to proceed." Black's Law Dictionary at 526. Likewise, the verb "direct" means "[t]o aim (something or someone)... [t]o cause (something or someone) to move on a particular course ... [t]o guide (something or someone); to govern ... [t]o instruct (someone) with authority ... [t]o address (something or someone)." Id. at 525.
[74] See, e.g., Indenture § 6.18 ("[Trustee is] authorized and directed to retain from amounts otherwise distributable") (emphasis added); id. § 14.2(a) ("[a]ny request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action") (emphasis added). The Credit Agreement also distinguishes between the words "authorization" and "direction". Compare Credit Agreement § 4.03(a) ("organizational action to authorize such execution") (emphasis added) with id. § 4.03(c) ("the Trustee, acting at the direction of the Investment Advisor") (emphasis added).
[75] See, e.g., In re Hilliard's Estate, 86 N.Y.S.2d 158, 159 (Sur.Ct.N.Y.Co.1948) ("The word `authorize' connotes a grant of discretion. The word `direct' connotes a mandate."). Black's defines "authorize" as "[t]o give legal authority; to empower ... [t]o formally approve; to sanction." Black's Law Dictionary at 153.
[76] See supra note 38. In support of reformation, MSIP asserts that Citibank and MSIP reached an agreement, via oral and written communications, that the Swap Confirmation would be amended so as to transfer all of Citibank's consent and voting rights as a Lender under the Credit Agreement to MSIP for the duration of the Swap. If MSIP is able to prove that such an agreement exists, then it appears that Citibank may have indeed breached the Swap Agreement.